Greater

Where to start? Well, this was a surprise for me and a mighty good one at that. To be honest, I had never heard of Brandon Burlsworth before (I am from Ireland and don't follow American football that much) but after watching this film and doing some follow-up research I now know his story is an amazing and inspiring one and then some. Hats off to all involved, great acting, especially by Chris Severio as Brandon Burlsworth, but the other actors really played their parts convincingly too. I loved this for other reasons also, the powerful message that for those who never give up opportunities will come. Just a quick mention for actor Neal McDonough who played the part of Brandon's brother amazingly. He did a superb job; the last time I saw him was in the excellent TV series, Band of Brothers. Such a terrific actor who deserves more recognition for what he does. What's more, it is a great family film and proof it doesn't have to be all about graphic images, profanity, and innuendo. Well done to the production crew for making a movie with such an important uplifting message in an age where others seem only concerned with pushing their agenda. I urge everyone to see this because, as I said in the heading, "Every now and again something special comes along." This is one of those moments.

As a Christian, nothing I hare more than dishonest piety. They turned a great story about a great person that was Christian and made it an American sermon about God using a football player like he was a donkey. If you want to preach to non-believers, show them that Christians are just ordinary people with an extraordinary gift of Faith. This movie is so predictable. Written for a 3rd grader. Acted poorly...beyond poor. This movie is preaching to the choir which is not what Jesus did. This is not a movie that Jesus would do. This is what the Pharisees would do. Cultural Christianity without any merit. I want this story retold by a great director with great actors and writers that have done more than children's books. The Croods is an example of a Christian message about Faith, Hope and Love that reached 1000 times more people around the world than Greater will ever imagine. Incompetence movie making is not an effective Evangelical tool. The 10/10 reviews is a clear campaign to promote religious dogma which is not WWJD. BTW...shame on Hollywood for ignoring a great story that puts Rudy to shame.

Great movie about an even greater person. Brandon's story is something every young person should know. He set a good example by the way he lived is life. This young man would have been a great NFL player, but tragedy struck and we are all left guessing how good he could have been. The greatest walk on in history. I was watching ESPN just a few weeks ago during the NFL draft. One of the former Indianapolis Colts' managers was being interview and he started talking about Brandon Burlsworth's story. He said Brandon was the best player he had ever drafted. That's a bold statement if you ask me. To go from a walk on at Arkansas to earning a scholarship and being drafted in the NFL is a "greater" story. Must see.

Based on a true story, the story involves an overweight athlete with an overwhelming desire to become an Arkansas Razorback football player. Life is not easy for Brandon Burlesworth. He faces challenges that seem insurmountable to overcome. Brandon possesses an extraordinary personality that few people exhibit. He is never quick to anger, learns to motivate others, and as the story unfolds, Brandon develops into a prime example of being a optimistic type motivator that guides his team into a winning one. When watching the story unfold, we were not all that familiar with the life of Burlesworth. The last part of the story, for us, was unexpected. However, the first and middle parts of the story keeps providing hints of how the story line will come to its end. This film rivals some of the best sports related movies of all time. Still, since the story delves on the meaning of life, and slightly touches on God and one's faith, YUP, Hollywood will never like this movie and we are afraid it will simply be in theaters a short time and go to DVD in a few months. Hopefully, while Greater is on the big screen it will have staying power and have a long run through word of mouth, high ratings, and positive reviews.

It was apparently a shocker to a few of the reviewers here, but Greater includes some Christian themes in it. If that offends you, then you probably wouldn't like this movie. If it does not offend you, then you should enjoy it. The movie is well produced, the acting is good, it is well paced, and it is definitely inspiring. And it all based fairly closely on real events. I'd give it 7 out of 10 for production value and acting, and then bump it up to 8 because it was enjoyable and inspiring. This is mostly a football biography movie, but adds in a Christian theme in the second half. I think they only people that won't enjoy this movie are people that dislike or resent the Christian content.

This is a made for TV movie, or one that premieres in a Church! I've never written a review but had to for this one. The last 30 minutes I felt like I was in church, like it was God writing this movie to explain why he ends the lives of a 22 yr old. Great story line with a sad real life outcome, but should of never been made like it was a TV movie. Average acting thruout, lower scale on the mother, higher on the brother. Not even classified as a top 100 sports movie, and I'm sure there isn't many over100. I never had a laughing moment, scared or excited. I was proud how much the main character worked towards his goals but that's it

Very, very little sports action at all. It's a decent story, and one that deserved to be told, but lighten up with the religitard propaganda. I mean seriously it was not even needed to tell this young man's story, but here we have a fine example of the zealots attempting to disguise their prosthelytizing fan fiction as an actual movie worth watching.

Greater is the story of which we all wish we could a part. "Rudy" is often compared, but Brandon's story is much more. While Arkansas has nothing of the following to Notre Dame and the budget of the movie is meager, this movie will have you "all-in" form the beginning. While there are glorious, big scenes of SEC stadiums full of people, we also see the meager, Ozark small town existence of Brandon's upbringing. Neal McDonough and Leslie Easterbrook bring great performances. The "farmer" role and story line are too much contrived. I didn't care for the flashback style of storytelling . . . but then again, if you're watching this film, you understand what the spoiler will be. "GREATER" is story of a person who will inspire us all and a film that shows how the greatest examples don't need the biggest Hollywood budgets to make you laugh, cheer and cry. RIP #77

So, not a very good movie at all. Bad acting, slow pace. Plus there is so little football action. Worst of all, they give away the ending at the very beginning so no surprise there that the guy dies. I don't understand how this got a 7.1 on IMDb. Really? It goes to prove a theory that Christians will buy anything or like anything that is faith based. Just because it has a Christian faith background doesn't mean you must like it. Please, demand more from those that want your money for entertainment. There are plenty of examples of good faith based movies. This is not one of them. Examples of good, faith based movies: Courageous, War Room, Facing the Giants, When the Game Stands Tall, Unbroken. Many more. Again, Greater is not worth your time or money.

Greater is based on the real life of Brian Burlsworth - the greatest walk on in the history of college football. The movie is good, but the multiple flashback sequences are a bit distracting as are the multiple conversations with "the farmer" who I guess is supposed to represent temptation or doubt or Satan. The movie never really addresses who the whittling farmer is supposed to be. When you watch this movie you'll think some of the scenes are a bit hokey and that no one is that dedicated or that "good". I've talked to people that knew Brian and they say the movie doesn't even begin to show what an amazing, dedicated, and courageous person Brian was in real life. The truth is we don't have enough people like Brian on this planet and his death at such a young age was truly tragic. It's nice to see something at the movies where the basic message is believe in yourself and work hard for what you want in life. Brian's life was an inspiration - at the end of the movie they list some of the foundations and charities started in his honor.